Middle Atlantic Rackmount 19IN Black W/3 - R5BZ20

Middle Atlantic R5BZ20 Rackmount Plug-In Outlet Center

Overview

The Middle Atlantic R5BZ20 is a 20-amp rackmount outlet center designed for 19-inch equipment racks — the kind of straightforward, reliable power distribution that integrators reach for when wiring security head-end rooms, AV equipment racks, and surveillance infrastructure closets. If you're building out a rack that mixes NVRs, managed switches, encoders, and other AC-powered gear, the R5BZ20 gives you a clean, centralized outlet point without complicating the power path. TAA compliance makes it viable for government and federal procurement without a waiver conversation.

Middle Atlantic has a long track record in the rack infrastructure space — their Middle Atlantic power and rack products are a fixture in commercial AV and security installations. The R5BZ20 fits squarely into their plug-in outlet center line, built for rackmount power distribution where a dependable, standards-compliant outlet strip is all you need.

Key Features

• 20-Amp Circuit Capacity: Running at 20A means this outlet center can handle the aggregate draw of a full rack of security and AV equipment — NVRs, switches, and encoders — without tripping a breaker during simultaneous boot cycles when inrush current spikes. Pair it with a dedicated 20A circuit at the panel and you have headroom to spare on most mid-density racks.
• 6-Foot Cord Length (1.8m): The 6ft cord gives you enough reach to connect to a floor-mounted PDU or wall outlet without straining the cable — important in rack deployments where the outlet strip sits at the top of a tall cabinet and the nearest power source is at floor level. No extension cord required in most standard rack-room layouts.
• 19-Inch Rackmount Form Factor: Designed to fit standard 19-inch EIA racks, the R5BZ20 installs cleanly without adapters or custom mounting hardware. Whether you're working with a Middle Atlantic rack enclosure or any third-party 19-inch cabinet, this drops in as expected and keeps your power distribution within the rack footprint rather than hanging off the side.
• TAA Compliance: The R5BZ20 carries TAA (Trade Agreements Act) compliance — a hard requirement for many federal, state, and education deployments. If your project falls under GSA Schedule or any contract that references TAA, this is the spec that keeps you off the non-compliant list. Not every outlet strip carries this, so it's worth noting for procurement teams.
• Black Finish: The black finish isn't cosmetic filler — it matches standard rack aesthetics and reduces visual distraction in client-facing equipment rooms where rack appearance matters. Consistent finish across your rack components signals a professional installation.

Integration and Compatibility

The R5BZ20 is built for standard 19-inch rack environments. It integrates with the broader Middle Atlantic rack and enclosure ecosystem, making it a natural fit alongside Middle Atlantic cabinets, rack shelves, and cable management accessories. It's equally at home in third-party racks that conform to the EIA-310 19-inch standard — which covers the vast majority of security and AV infrastructure cabinets in the field.

For integrators building out surveillance head-end rooms, this pairs well with network video recorders, managed PoE switches, and video management servers — any equipment that draws standard AC power and needs a clean outlet source within the rack. If you're speccing power for a project that also requires PoE distribution, consider pairing this with a dedicated PoE switch for camera power rather than running AC to each camera position individually.

TAA compliance aligns the R5BZ20 with procurement requirements common in government, education, and defense-adjacent security projects. Verify your full bill of materials against TAA requirements before final submittal — compliance at the outlet strip level doesn't automatically cover other components in the rack.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is the Middle Atlantic R5BZ20 TAA compliant?

A: Yes. The R5BZ20 is TAA (Trade Agreements Act) compliant, making it suitable for federal, state, and education projects with TAA procurement requirements.

Q: What amperage does the R5BZ20 support?

A: The R5BZ20 is rated for 20 amps. For best results, connect it to a dedicated 20A circuit at the panel.

Q: How long is the power cord on the R5BZ20?

A: The R5BZ20 includes a 6-foot (1.8m) power cord, providing enough reach for most standard rack-to-outlet distances without an extension cord.

Q: What rack size does the R5BZ20 fit?

A: The R5BZ20 is designed for standard 19-inch EIA rackmount cabinets, compatible with Middle Atlantic enclosures and third-party 19-inch racks.

Q: Is the R5BZ20 suitable for security and surveillance rack installations?

A: Yes. The R5BZ20 is a practical power distribution solution for security head-end rooms, NVR racks, and AV equipment cabinets that require centralized AC outlet access within a 19-inch rack footprint.

Eden Phillips

The R5BZ20 is one of those components that doesn't get glamorized in project specs but absolutely matters when you're commissioning a security rack — a 20-amp outlet center that actually fits cleanly in a 19-inch enclosure, with a 6-foot cord that reaches the floor outlet without a cable fight, and TAA compliance already checked off for the procurement team. I've seen integrators reach for generic power strips on jobs where TAA was a requirement and end up doing a last-minute component swap; the R5BZ20 prevents that conversation.

Technical Highlights:

• 20A Rating: Handles aggregate inrush current across a fully loaded security rack — NVR, switch, encoder, and auxiliary gear — without nuisance tripping. Match it to a 20A dedicated circuit and you have appropriate headroom for most mid-density surveillance head-ends.
• 6ft Cord: Positioned at the top of a standard 7-foot cabinet, 6 feet of cord lands right at a floor-level outlet or PDU without needing an extension — keeps the cable path clean and code-friendly.
• TAA Compliance: Pre-checked for GSA Schedule and government project submittals. One fewer line item to verify when pulling together a TAA-compliant bill of materials for a federal or education site.

Deployment Considerations:

• Verify the total connected load in amps before populating the strip — 20A is the circuit maximum, not a guaranteed safe operating point for every combination of gear. Leave 20% headroom as standard practice.
• The source evidence does not specify the outlet count or outlet type (NEMA configuration). Confirm the outlet layout matches your equipment's plug types before ordering, particularly for servers or UPS units with NEMA 5-20P plugs.

The R5BZ20 is best suited for government and institutional security installations where TAA compliance is a contract requirement and the integrator needs a clean 19-inch power distribution solution without sourcing a separate waiver or substitution approval.